Griffin, Kuechly garner rookie awards

New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Washington Redskins quarterback Robert
Griffin III and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly were named the
offensive and defensive Rookies of the Year, respectively, for the 2012
season.

The Baylor standout connected on 258-of-393 passes for 3,200 yards, 20
touchdowns and tossed just five interceptions while pacing the Redskins to a
10-6 record and their first NFC East title since 1999. He also ran for a
league rookie-record 815 yards and had seven rushing TDs.

He underwent surgery last month to repair both the lateral collateral and
anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee. Griffin suffered the injury in
a playoff loss to Seattle.

Kuechly a Boston College product, who led the NFL in tackles with 164, had 28
votes to easily out-pace Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner (11).